Politics Thursday: Ginny Andersen and Tim Costley talk OCR, Covid-19 inquiry and lizards v jobs

Wellington mayoral candidate Ray Chung sent a sordid email to some council colleagues in 2023, claiming mayor Tory Whanau had drug-fuelled “tempestuous sex” in an orgy, and making reference to her having “pendulous soft breasts”.  The email has only surfaced today - but does it rule Ray Chung out as a serious mayoral contender?  Also, the All Blacks take on France in the second test at Sky Stadium tomorrow night. How important are these events for the city, and what can we expect from both teams? To answer those questions, former Wellington mayor Dame Kerry Prendergast and current Upper Hutt mayor Wayne Guppy joined Nick Mills on Friday Faceoff, live from the Champions Lunch at Takina.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The All Blacks take on France in the second test in Wellington tomorrow night - and the city is buzzing ahead of the game.  The The 28th Cello Champions Charity Luncheon was held on Friday ahead of the event, with a stellar line up of former All Blacks including Frank Bunce and Josh Kronfeld.  Frank Bunce played 69 All Black games - including 55 tests - between 1992 and 1997, while Josh Kronfeld played 56 All Blacks games - including 54 tests - between 1995 and 2000.  The pair joined Nick Mills to share their memories of the infamous 1995 Rugby World Cup, as well as their predictions ahead of the All Blacks' second test against the French tomorrow night.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Cello Champions Charity Luncheon is being held in Wellington for it's 28th year - and Nick Mills was at the Takina Convention Centre broadcasting live ahead of the event.  The luncheon is in aid of Life Flight - and former Blackcap and Life Flight ambassador Grant Elliot and luncheon organiser Ian Klinac joined Nick to discuss the event.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s been just over two years since Wellington’s brand new $180 million conference centre Takina opened - and it's attracted plenty of events.  But there have been some reports that its struggling to attract as many events as first anticipated.  Wellington City Council’s Chief Economic and Engagement Officer Anna Calver joined Nick Mills, live from Takina, to discuss the first two years of the centre's operation and what's instore for the future.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The All Blacks take on France in the second test in Wellington tomorrow night - and the city is buzzing ahead of the game.  Newstalk ZB Weekend Sport host Jason Pine today hosted the Champions Luncheon at Takina - and will be broadcasting live from Shed 22 tomorrow ahead of the test.  He joined Nick Mills to share his predictions for the game.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The second phase of the Royal Commision into the government's response to Covid-19 is underway - but Labour leader Chris Hipkins says the investigation was intentionally designed to give conspiracy theorists a platform. Is this a fair comment - and should Hipkins and former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern front up at the inquiry?  Also, Resources Minister Shane Jones is not happy with DOC. They have declined an application to extend an Otago gold mine because the mining company didn’t have a proper lizard management plan, with 700 jobs at risk according to the mining company. What's more important - jobs or lizards?  To answer those questions, Labour's police spokesperson Ginny Andersen and National's Otaki MP Tim Costley joined Nick Mills for Politics Thursday. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There is a new ferry in Wellington Harbour - and it looks remarkably similar to an existing one. Bluebridge's new ferry Livia has arrived in the capital - the sister ship to the existing Connemara vessel already operated by Bluebridge.  The ship, built in 2008, was previously operated by a ferry line in Europe, but has since had a fresh lick of paint and is currently undergoing internal renovations ahead of its first voyage across the Cook Strait in about two weeks.  Nick was invited on a tour of the new ship, as well as a chat with Bluebridge/Strait NZ chief executive Shane McMahon. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The organisation tasked with helping to grow the Wellington region's economy has a new boss - and he says Wellington needs to focus more on its successes, rather than it's struggles.  Mark Oldershaw took over the reins at WellingtonNZ a month ago and joined Nick Mills to discuss the role of the organisation, the state of the region, and some exciting major events at Sky Stadium that hopefully will be announced soon. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s an exciting gig coming to Wellington this week – especially if your heydey was in the 70s. 10cc is returning to the capital on Friday night to play a gig at the Opera House, performing classic hits like The Things We Do For Love, Dreadlock Holiday and I'm Not In Love. 10cc was formed in 1972 - after frontman and songwriter Graham Gouldman had begun his career writing hits for The Hollies and Herman’s Hermits. The band has had twelve songs reach the UK Top 40 - including three number-one hits. Gouldman joined Nick Mills to discuss the band's legacy and the inspiration behind their biggest hits. 10cc perform at the Wellington Opera House this Friday, July 11. Tickets from Ticketmaster. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's the second week of the winter recess at Parliament - known around the building as one of the quietest weeks in politics of the year.  But despite many politicians taking the week off or working back in their electorates, there's still work being done in the halls of power - including public submissions on the Regulatory Standards Bill today. What does the bill do, and why has it been so controversial?  Also, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says it's possible the government could introduce mandatory sentences for some crimes. What could this look like? Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls joined Nick Mills for the Beehive Buzz.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.